It's a hell of a lot harder to get commissions these days. I don't remember it being this bad last year. I don't know if it's the economy or because there's an overwhelming number of artists who cater to this fandom who undercut everybody else and are willing to work for next to nothing. I see a lot of mid-range artists get ignored by would-be commissioners because they have their eyes on the "big names" (and willing to pay more for them), or are looking for a dirt-cheap bargain by whoever is willing to do something for them for the least amount of money. I personally set my art prices based on a wage of $10/hour, but it's also my thought that my art is worth more than the wage I'd be getting at a shitty minimum wage service or retail industry job.

Ok, disillusioned rant aside...I am not in a good place right now. Financially, I'm in a tight place and it's only going to get worse. I'm trying to find a normal job, but haven't succeeded in that yet. I had a thought on a way to offer a cheaper than normal sketch commissions with a goal of raising $1000 to help out with bills.

So, the idea. Donate money, get a sketch - essentially a cheap sketch commission. The sketch would become more complex the more you donate (start with a headshot or bust and go up from there). I'd set a minimum of $3 as a donation because of Paypal fees and decide on a tier for anybody who wanted a sketch with more than one character involved. All of the sketches for this would be done in a particular sketchbook, and anybody who donates...say, $5 or more...would be eligible to be randomly picked to receive the sketchbook in the end when it's full. Or I can come up with some other bigger prize in the end if people don't like the sketchbook giveaway idea.

Thoughts on this?